Reading Roundup: This Week's Top Literary Events

Each week, we offer a roundup of the best literary events in the city. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Want to submit an upcoming event for consideration? Go here.

Lucy Corin (One Hundred Apocalypses and Other Apocalypses)

Thursday, August 29, 6-8 pm, at Amnesia (853 Valencia St.)

The latest release from McSweeney's is a dark, witty, quirky series of short stories (some only a few sentences long, others full-length) exploring moments of apocalypse-- which might not only be the end of the world, but the end of a relationship, a job, a friendship. At this release party, Corin will be joined by readers Peter Orner and Yiyun Li, comic Caitlin Gill, and musicians The Yellow Dress, all exploring the theme of apocalypse. Participants are encouraged to bring their own apocalyptic fantasy, with the best being read onstage. Tickets are $20.

Patton Oswalt (Zombie Spaceship Wasteland)

Tuesday, September 3, 7:30 pm, at the Nourse Theater (275 Hayes St.)

The new season of City Arts & Lectures kicks off with Oswalt, the famed stand-up comedian who's appeared on a network sitcom (The King of Queens), voiced an animated rat-turned-chef (Ratatouille), and earned praise for his dramatic acting (Young Adult, Big Fan). He's also an author: his book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland is a memoir told through the lens of his love of pop culture, exploring everything from D&D to Edgar Allen Poe to comics. Tickets are $27.

San Francisco Zine Fest

Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, 12-5 pm, at the SF County Fair Building (1199 9th Ave.)

The annual celebration of all things zines arrives in Golden Gate Park this weekend, with dozens of zine-makers on hand selling their latest issues. There's also a zine library for catching up on your independent reading, craft-making sessions, art and comics for viewing, and panels on making zines, zine artists, and crowdfunding, among other topics. More info here.

Quiet Lightning: The Greenhouse Effect

Monday, September 2, 7:30 pm, at the Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F. Kennedy Dr.)

The popular reading series makes its annual Labor Day pilgrimage to the Conservatory of Flowers, where live music and a potluck picnic (beginning at 4:30 pm) will lead into readings by a variety of local authors, many of whom will be reading with Quiet Lightning for the first time. Lagunitas will offer $3 beers during the reading. Admission is $5-10, sliding scale, at the door. More info here.